§ 65. Captain STRICKLANDasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the number of certificates applied for by the Jewish agency for the half-year April to October, 1934; what number has been allotted by the Palestine Government for immigration during that period; and whether that number will be in addition to any excess allowed in the previous half-year?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThe Jewish agency applied for a labour immigration schedule of 20,100 for the period mentioned, and the High Commissioner for Palestine decided to authorise a schedule of 5,600. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.
§ 66. Mr. JANNERasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Jewish agency applies for immigration certificates for Palestine on the definite basis of labour requirements there; whether his attention has been called to the complaints of large employers of labour and others in Palestine concerning the serious shortage of labour there owing to these requirements not having been met; and whether he will make full inquiries with a view to permitting a sufficient number of workers to enter Palestine in the current year?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERIn fixing the numbers of the half-yearly labour immigration schedules, the High Commissioner for Palestine takes into consideration the Jewish Agency's estimates of the number of labour vacancies which are likely to exist, after those estimates have been submitted to detailed examination by the Director of Immigration. I am aware of complaints of shortage of certain classes of labour, but I have full confidence in the judgment of the High Commissioner, who is in the best position to decide what is the true economic absorptive capacity of Palestine having regard both to the present and the future.
§ Mr. JANNERWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether he has himself examined the statements which have been made by industrialists in the country who are concerned with its absorptive capacity, and whether he will in future consult with them in respect of certificates?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERNo, Sir, most certainly not. The policy is plainly stated and has been carried out by every Government which has had charge of the mandate. It is absolutely essential that the detailed application of that policy should rest with the High Commissioner, who is on the spot.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is quite satisfied with a policy which allows into Palestine only those people who will import £1,000 worth of German goods, and whether he could not now allow the population to increase rather than to increase German imports?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI really do not understand to what the right hon. and gallant Gentleman refers. There is no sort of condition about allowing into Palestine people with £1,000 worth of German goods.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODBut have they not got to import £1,000 in German goods, and is not that unduly hampering British industry and at the same time hampering the development of the country, which could do with people without £1,000?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI am extremely anxious to see the maximum amount of British goods imported into Palestine, and, as the figures for the Tel Aviv Fair show, we are doing extremely well in that country, and I hope that we shall do better.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODI am sorry to press this point with the right hon. Gentleman. I understand that 2,000 permits have been sent to Berlin for Jews to come from Germany who can bring them £1,000 worth each of German goods. That means £200,000 worth of German goods going into Palestine. Why does the right hon. Gentleman stimulate a form of immigration which requires the importation of German goods instead of that form of immigration which would stimulate Jewish production?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI do not stimulate German production, and I really do not understand what the right hon. and gallant Gentleman means. The people who distribute the certificates are the Jewish agency and anybody, within certain limits, who has £1,000 and obtains an immigration certificate is enabled to come in.
§ Captain STRICKLANDWill the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance to the House that the policy of the Government is based only upon absorptive capacity and not upon political reasons?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERYes. I am very glad that question has been put, even if it be put for the twentieth time. No consideration has ever actuated either His Majesty's Government in this country or the High Commissioner except economic absorptive capacity.